Domesday was primarily a document which recorded the census and tracked property values for tax purposes.  Similar to the way that tax assessment works today, the revenue-assessed value was a guideline to what a reasonable price to expect for the property might be.  This was all tied to the land's ability to generate revenue, via agriculture, water rights, value as a game property, or less commonly, mineral resources.....

Can someone explain what the Value of a Domesday property means?  If an estate is worth 100 shillings, is that 1) what it can be sold for, 2) what the products of the place are worth, or 3) the tax revenue the king can expect from the place?

Given that many estates show a drastic decline in revenue or agricultural capacity from pre 1066 to 1086, I suspect it isn't too great a supposition that our little settlement went fallow when the damned Normans arrived.

Except I guess that means we all died out...

I just picked up a used copy of the Hampshire volume of the Phillimore edition of the Domesday Book.  Although this work is about 150 years and a solid invasion away from our setting, it is still of use.  I'm looking through it now to see what can be gleaned.  Evingar Hundred (where Ædingstowe is located) is somewhat large and relatively lightly populated.  The exact place I envisioned the settlement has nothing listed in it -- which I suppose works out for us.

Dehfin

Don't be such a baby.

Interesting!! Not sure I was to see anyone skinned, though.

Dee/Leofwen

Here's an article on a  mass grave from an execution that may have taken place around the saxondaeg time period.

Thank you for the video; I've never been able to go to the site.  The mock-up of the burial was illuminating, for while I've seen labeled drawings, having it displayed in 3 dimensions makes it easier to visualize.  I'm hoping to get there and to West Stow someday.

And a belated welcome to both Saxonman and Chris.  I hope to hear more from you, and feel free to pick our brains here too.

Buck